After 'good' Game 2 win, Lassiter says more adjustments needed for SMB

San Miguel’s Marcio Lassiter. Photo from PBA Images.

MANILA — The San Miguel Beermen were in danger of falling into a two-to-nothing hole in the 2024 PBA Philippine Cup Finals.

The Jorge Gallent-coached squad saw themselves down by four to the Meralco Bolts with only 26 ticks remaining in Game 2 after Bong Quinto hit a go-ahead floater and Chris Banchero sank a three-pointer late in the game.

In the next play, CJ Perez drained the last three of his 34 total points in to give the Beermen some life, and fortunately for them, Banchero split on his trip from the 15-foot line after he was fouled with only 20 seconds left.

Enter Marcio Lassiter.

"When we were down four, Coach drew up a play and CJ made a tough contested three which kept us close," he told reporters right before he exited the Araneta Coliseum as he detailed what happened in the end game.

"Luckily, [Chris Banchero] split, and when we were coming down, I was just thinking: ‘If the shot's there, take it.'"

"CJ said: 'Be ready.' I just knew that if I could get to my spot, that pump fake got me open. I had good luck at the basket, and that is all that I'm gonna need," Super Marcio continued, pointing out on his eventual game-winning trey over Quinto.

READ: Lassiter hits game-winning trey as San Miguel overcomes Meralco to tie Finals series

Lassiter only had three points on one-of-seven shooting prior to his go-ahead triple, but he had no doubts about taking the clutch shot.

"Anytime I can get a good look and see the rim, I really feel like I can make it. I've made it a few times before and I just stay poised," he said. 

"Also give credit to CJ for finding me in the corner. It wouldn't have happened if CJ didn't see me."

"I also think today I was really trying to play more defense. It seems like today, they put more focus on me, but it allowed CJ and June Mar [Fajardo] to get going early," continued Lassiter who had 16 points and three conversions from beyond the arc in Game 1. 

But despite being able to tie the series, the multiple-time PBA champion knows that there is still a lot of work that needs to be done especially with how Meralco has been proving that they can dance with the perennial league powerhouse. 

"It's a good win, but it's too early. We know that it's gonna be a grind-out game this whole series, so we'll just come out here," he maintained.

"We can't expect them to just roll over. [They're] a good team, so we still gotta make adjustments."

"We have to figure out what we're gonna give them. It's gonna be continuously tough games since it's tied too," he ended.

Lassiter and the Beermen will look to tally a vital 2-1 advantage tomorrow in Game 3 still at the Big Dome.

Tip-off is at 6:15 p.m.